The pandemic has decimated the aviation sector, but supports that could have been put in place to cushion the blow have not been implemented.
Stobart Air ceasing operations is a devastating blow to workers and the regions it serviced, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan.
“The announcement by Stobart Air, that it has ceased trading and appointed a liquidator, is a devastating blow to workers and raises huge questions about regional connectivity.
“The pandemic has decimated the aviation sector, but supports that could have been put in place to cushion the blow have not been implemented.
“Last year, the caretaker government, when Shane Ross was Minister for Transport, appointed a Taskforce on Aviation Recovery which produced a report within a month with a list of 12 recommendations.
“To date, just two of those recommendations have been implemented. This is despite the fact that the Oireachtas Transport Committee issued a report in December urging the government to implement the recommendations of the taskforce.
“Why has the government been so slow to implement these recommendations – to provide specific, targeted assistance to a sector which is on its knees?
“The government must also clarify whether the cyberattack on the HSE is going to lead to a delayed rollout of the EU Digital Green Cert – which is being relied on to restore international travel.
“It is imperative that the government ensures that the Digital Green Cert can be implemented as quickly as possible, so that public confidence in air travel is restored and international travel can resume.
“The aviation sector supports 140,000 jobs while air transport contributes €8.9 billion to Irish GDP. The government must act swiftly to ensure as many jobs as possible can be protected.”
12 June, 2021
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